Ah - I think I see where you're coming from regarding the "aspect ratio" of SuperLemmini vs NeoLemmix.

What you're seeing is actually not to do with stretching, but to do with different sources of the graphics - SuperLemmini's appearance is based on Amiga, whereas NeoLemmix's appearance is based on DOS. Indeed, the majority of menu graphics, including the font and the logo, are direct rips from the DOS version of Lemmings. However, there is one change - while both render at a set resolution then scale up, for DOS this resolution is 640x350, whereas for NL it's 640x400. NL does not achieve this by stretching anything; rather, NL adds more space. But yeah - you will notice, if you compare NeoLemmix to DOS Lemmings rather than Amiga, it's pretty much the same as that.

I should note that overall, NeoLemmix's general tendancy when referencing an original engine, is to treat DOS version as the authoritative source. However, there are absolutely some case-by-case exceptions, most notably digger behaviour, and the source of levels used in the conversions of official games (Amiga has highest priority, then DOS is second; beyond that is more or less on a basis of "whatever gets converted first").

Hmmm... fair enough. I grew up with the Amiga version, which is probably why I prefer that look. Maybe something to consider for the hi-res version? Again, I'm happy to do all the work with regards to getting graphics together...

EDIT - I've just had a look at the DOS version, and yes - the logos and everything do appear to be squished horizontally... surely the Amiga verson is better in this particular regard?

Thanks, that's valuable feedback!

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- You can double click the release rate to get to 01 or 99 quickly. This is mainly just convenient, but it can also help with certain level solutions as well.

NL has the same thing, but here it's the right mouse button rather than a double click.

You're very welcome

Ah yes! Perfect, thanks for letting me know. The only other thing I'd say here then is it'd be nice to have the rate-increase sound from the Amiga game included, if possible.

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  - The control panel has "clickable" buttons, rounded edges and cartoon icons; all of which adds texture and provides a more tactile interface (I'm currently working on one that could be used in the Hi-Res mod, if needs be).

This is a problem you or another user needs to tackle most likely: If a good replacement is made by someone you can simply swap out the default ones with your preferred choice.

Most graphics in NL are swappable/customisable. They just need to be created and be the same size.

Good shout, but I think it'd be nice to upgrade the default panel for everyone as well, or at least have it as an included alternative option just in case people prefer the current look & feel and want to keep it that way.

NL will never use native Windows GUI buttons on this, but I'm open to graphics that simulate such buttons. EDIT: To be clear, this would need to be widely agreed on, not just "one person wants it" - but if that consensus is there, sure, it can be done.

Again, I'm more than happy to look at doing this. I'm currently creating a set of buttons that are similar to the Windows GUI buttons but, IMO, even better, and closer to the slim size of the NeoLemmix buttons. I'll get some examples uploaded soon.

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Quote from: namida on October 26, 2019, 09:55:58 PM

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- The main menu/level screen text & images are in the correct aspect ratio rather than being stretched, as they are in NL. This may seem a minor point to most people, but it just adds to the overall aesthetic when everything is taken into consideration.

NL keeps a consistent aspect ratio, specifically 8:5 (as the internal rendering resolution of the menu screens is 640x400). It stretches it to fill the screen, but keeps it proportional, adding blank space at the sides if need be. There's currently no option to avoid non-integer resizing of these screens; but you could use windowed mode with a window size of 640x400 (or a multiple thereof).

WillLem, can you post some screenshots comparing SuperLemmini and NeoLemmix on above point?  If as namida said NL keeps the stretching proportional to fill screen, then the result should still be in the correct aspect ratio in contradiction to what you say, so I'm a bit confused here.

Sure thing, see attached images. Similarly with the panel GUI, I just feel that an overall visual facelift for NeoLemmix should include the main default-view screen looking as great as it possibly can, with little/no adjustments from the end-user (although, of course, the options should still be there).

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- Firstly, and most importantly (to me, at least)... I think it looks great. It's a lot smoother, everything looks more rounded and well-defined, and this just makes for a more enjoyable gaming experience, in my humble opinion. It's great that a Hi-Res facelift for NL is being considered/in production: I am happy to continue providing graphics/help with this wherever I can.

High-res mode is likely to be the "major" feature for V12.8, in the same way eg. the Shimmier was for 12.6. I suspect at first, high-res mode will be limited to the lemming sprites and the official styles, but over time this will expand.

It's great that you're taking all this into consideration btw, and looking to make some adjustments. Really looking forward to seeing how the ideas develop.

NL currently saves lemmings-saved and time-taken records (but not skill counts). There was discussion of extending this, as well as making it more visible, but nothing has come of that yet - I need to revisit this at some point. They're currently only visible on the postview screen; this could be improved.

If you wanted to go one better than SuperLemmini, have individual skill counts as well as time & % saved. It's possibly a good shout to display the records as part of the F2 level-select screen since there's a lot of unused space on the right hand side, it'd be more than good enough to put the records there.

As always, it's great to be getting feedback from these suggestions. Thanks again!

All best,

-WillLem

Regarding the attached images:

If you look at the compared level screens for Fun 24 in SL and NL, you can see that the lettering in SL is taller & more like in the original game rather than stretched horizontally, as in the NL example. There is also variation in the text colour, which makes for a more dynamic-looking intro screen.

With the main logo screen examples, it's very clear here that NL stretches the Lemmings logo (as well as the graphics of the Lemmings holding the options cards) quite extensively. I've included a screenshot of the original Amiga screen for comparison. Incidentally, although SL is comparitively closer to the Amiga screen, it doesn't include the original logo (probs for licencing reasons?) and the scroller text is stretched vertically - so, it doesn't get everything right!

IMHO hat's needed is a redesign of the main screen using the Amiga screen as a guide. I offer my services for this task if you'd be happy to make this change. I'll keep it exactly like the original NL screen in every other regard - layout, etc. Let me know if you'd like to me get on this.

Hmmmmm.... I edited the levels in .lvl format, so I don't think I can compile them as a .ini SuperLemmini level pack

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Congratulations! You've found my first hidden level (see attached)

Thanks for the clarification on these points. I'm guessing that NeoLemmix is not an acceptable engine for challenges due to its precision capabilities (timestepping, etc)...?

Ok, I've attached a video of me opening an .lvl level with the editor now.

For record I use the V12.6.5 editor (https://www.lemmingsforums.net/index.php?topic=4339.0) and NOT the one of the experimental release candidate V.12.7.0-RC (https://www.lemmingsforums.net/index.php?topic=4444.0), as V.12.7.0-RC is still in experimental testing. BTW, as I read this question popping up: Cleanse levels is F8 on the main menu there.
 

Thanks for this, I have attached a video of it not working for me. Literally no idea what I'm doing wrong. I've also attached one of the levels, are you happy to see if you can open it and let me know either way?

I tried F8 from the main manu and located the newly created "Cleanse" folder, but my levels aren't in there. I've asked about this on the other topic for now.

Cheers,

-WillLem

".lvl" levels: Format used for Lemmix and very old NL versions. Can be converted to the newest ".nxlvl" format with the newest NL editor (not to ".ini").

So... old .lvl levels can be converted using the new NL Editor? I have the latest version and can't use it to open .lvl files. Hence all of this, really. It seems I have to use older software to make the necessary conversions (totally my fault for insisting on playtesting using SuperLemmini).

If you know of a way to convert them using the new Editor, please let me know!

You flatter me. When I look back at Reverse Lemmings, I see a lot of not-so-great levels.

I thoroughly enjoyed playing through them, it's a great concept and a fun way to enjoy a loved & treasured game in a new and interesting way. Hats off to you!

Whilst you're here... I'm trying to get the levels compiled so that they open as a pack in SuperLemmini. I am using your levelpack.ini for Reverse Lemmings as a blueprint and there's a few things I'm not sure about:

- what exactly does the <#path = lvl_reve> line refer to?
- is the <codeSeed = MIRRORMODE> line necessary?
- similarly, are the first few lines referring to web addresses necessary?
- for levels, just wondering what exactly is being referred to in the following line:

# Level 0 - Fun
# Fun 1 -  Just dig!
fun_0  = 101 - Just Dig!.ini,0

Finally, are the .ini files for each level necessary or can I just include the .lvl files? Or... can .lvl be converted to .ini?

I could really do with some tips on how to get your head around this. If you're happy to answer these questions it would be a massive help!

I've attached the levels.ini file for easy reference.

Cheers,

-WillLem